🔗 Share this article The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Relinquished His Royal Titles – and the Implications for the Royal Family Through a statement released by the royal household, Prince Andrew has declared he is giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what remains unchanged. What Did the Prince Said? Having already withdrawn as a active member of the monarchy in 2019, the prince has currently decided to “take additional measures” and agree not to use the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him. But he also employed the announcement to emphatically denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the legal claim brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing. There has existed ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to safeguard the royal family from further damage resulting from public speculation. Has the King Removed Him of His Honors? Not at all. And, while this might be viewed as a mere formality, it holds importance in multiple ways: initially, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in defence of the crown. As stated in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my family and country first.” Second, although he consented not to use it, the prince keeps the dukedom, along with the titles his earldom and his barony and the prestigious position as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Similar to the His Royal Highness title, they are effectively inactive. He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. Theoretically, he is also a potential stand-in for the monarch – and can stand in for the king should he be abroad or unwell. Although the palace has indicated that, realistically, he would not be asked to perform these duties. Nevertheless, it is significant that Andrew’s statement said the decision was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, behind the scenes, the palace pushed for this in the hope of cutting Andrew loose. Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles? To forcibly remove a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely result in further harm to the image for the monarchy. Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he became such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a royal decree was issued by the reigning monarch. The whole process could end up being drawn-out, meaning the objective of swiftly resolving the matter – particularly for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met. What Does It Mean for the Prince? Embarrassment, likely above all. The statement signifies an substantial reduction of status he has fought against for a long time. The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in Royal Lodge, notwithstanding rumoured attempts by the king to persuade Andrew to move out of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park. While little light has been shed on exactly how much money Andrew has received due to his status, he remains a person of means. Back in 2007, he managed to secure £15m from the sale of a home that had been a gift from his mother, for example. What Prompted This? The seemingly endless list of scandals related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the king and other senior royals. His friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again under scrutiny following revelations that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message dispatched months after he claimed to have ended communication. Additionally, there were reports about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that engaging sexually with her was his entitlement”. Furthermore, the sovereign is due to make a historic visit to meet Pope Leo next week, when he will become the initial British king since Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and head of the Catholic church. He will not have wanted that visit to be overshadowed by further adverse coverage about Andrew. What Was the Response? Although he stated his sister had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts informed the Times that the prince's style ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved. The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “insufficient and delayed”, adding: “Andrew remains accused of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He should be stripped of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a penalty that fits the offences.”